Biography of J.B. Eagel

J. B. Eagel, son-in-law of J. H. Walters, has been a resident of Boone County, Arkansas, for the past ten years, but was born in another part of the county August 25, 1853, the second of twelve children born to Dock and Serena (Swain) Eagel, the former of whom was born in Maury County, Tennessee, in 1824. In 1839 he came to Arkansas, and until his death in 1873, resided in Lonoke County. He was an uncle of ex-Gov. Eagel of the State. He was a Mexican soldier, a soldier in the Civil War, was a Democrat in politics and throughout life followed farming. He was married in Lonoke County, and his wife was a daughter of Jerry Swain, who came from Tennessee to Arkansas about 1840, and she still resides on the old homestead in the county where she was married. Her children were: William, who, with his father and Robert Engel, a brother of Gov. Eagel, was killed by a party of Negroes whom they were trying to arrest for stealing, was but twenty-one years old at the time of his death; J. B.; Jennie, who died when young; Joseph, who is living on a farm in Lonoke County; Frances, wife of L. H. Halloway of Lonoke County; James, who lives with his mother; Charity, widow of Goodman Swain; Robert; Thomas; George, who was killed by accidental discharge of a gun; Pettus, and two children that died in infancy. The father, Dock Eagel, and James Eagel, father of Gov. Eagel, were quite noted Nimrods in the early history of the State and sold large quantities of game in Little Rock. While Dock Eagel was serving in the Mexican War he had a hand-to-hand fight with a Mexican soldier and the man bit one of his fingers off. Joseph Eagel, his elder brother, was a soldier in this war also, was killed in battle and was buried in that country. J. B. Eagel received but a limited education, for the war ruined the father and the old home was destroyed by fire twice during that struggle.

Being the eldest of the family the principal burden of their support fell upon his shoulders after the death of his father and brother. In 1875 he came to Bellefonte and after attending school here for about two years he returned home and remained there for three years. In May, 1880, he wedded Mattie Walters, and after five years spent in farming and stockraising in Lonoke County they came to Bellefonte and here have since made their home. They have three children: Dock, Hugh and Clyde. Mrs. Eagel was born in Yalobusha County, Miss., July 5, 1857, and was given an excellent education. Mr. Eagel is well to do, has a good farm of 160 acres at Bellefonte, besides other valuable property, and for the past year has been a salesman in the store of J. H. Walters & Son. He is a Mason, a member of Bellefonte Lodge No. 165, and in his political views is a Democrat of pronounced type. He and his wife move in the best social circles, have numerous friends and are highly respected by all who know them.

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A Reminiscent History of the Ozark Region: comprising a condensed general history, a brief descriptive history of each county, and numerous biographical sketches of prominent citizens of such counties. Chicago: Goodspeed Brothers Publishers. 1894.